The diatonic scale is a type of musical scale that involves a progression of tones. While the scale’s proper origin is often attributed to ancient Greece, there are indications that the basic scale was known as far back as Neanderthal man’s time. Today, the diatonic scale is used in a wide range of musical genres, and it continues to serve as a source of inspiration for new musical compositions as well as arrangements of old favorites.
The heptatonia prima is one of the most common examples of a diatonic scale. This scale has a standard format known as a 7-35. This is a seven-note scale composed of five whole-tone steps separated two half-tone steps at widely spaced intervals between the whole-tone steps. At the octave, the pattern is repeated, giving the scale a sense of progression and unity.
The diatonic scale had a significant impact on the development of the modern keyboard. In fact, the black keys on the keyboard are arranged in the same way as the basic diatonic scale, and they tend to aid the musician’s understanding of both the key and the tone.
During the medieval and Renaissance periods, this basic 7-35 structure served as the foundation for much of Europe’s musical tradition. The diatonic scale remained an important part of musical composition well into the twentieth century. The diatonic scale is commonly used in religious music, such as hymns in many faith traditions, but it can also be found in jazz compositions, some forms of Country and Western music, and rock and roll music from the middle to late twentieth century.
While the diatonic scale is no longer as influential in musical composition as it once was, it can still be found in a variety of musical expressions. While the diatonic scale is sometimes closely followed in order to achieve a specific effect, it can also be used as a starting point in the creation of a composition, with the composer adding to or subtracting elements of the basic scale to create an original piece.